Inland Empire residents indicted in government fraud sweep

A federal grand jury this week indicted 14 Inland Empire residents on suspicion of stealing government benefit funds and making false statements to obtain U.S. passports.

The indictments were issued in Riverside during the last two weeks, with the final cases being filed Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Eleven defendants are suspected of taking and spending government benefit payments, some belonging to dead family members. Others allegedly gave false names, Social Security numbers, military service history and other information.

Three suspects lied about their names, dates and places of birth and Social Security numbers to obtain passports.

The people charged with theft of more than $1,000 in government property are Audrey Owens, 60, of Upland; Sarah Rose, 57, Michele King, 42, and Josie Lee Anderson, 64, all of San Bernardino; James Cramer, 78, of Banning; Wilma Welsh, 82, of Perris; Zandria Rhone, 61, of Riverside; Thomas Fothergill, 73, of Perris; Martin Munoz Villa, 42, of Riverside; Walton Monagan, 70, of Hemet; and Editha Pagdilao, 66, of Redlands.

Authorities issued arrest warrants for three people suspected of passport fraud. The suspects are Nelida Alcauter, 36, and Maria Altemose, both of Temecula; and Angela Alicia Sanker, 56, of San Bernardino.